Why Central African forests?

Forests are the largest storehouse of carbon after the oceans. Healthy, resilient forests play a critical role in combatting global climate change. Enhanced efforts in the forest sector are key to addressing the global ambition to maintain temperatures well below 2ºC degrees. Forests also provide many other ecosystem services and social benefits that contribute to human well-being.

Central Africa is home to the second largest tropical rainforest in the world. It has been mostly spared from loss so far but is under increasing pressure and the land use and forestry sector is the main contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the region.

The region faces major challenges such as poverty, inequality, food insecurity and poor business climate. Weaknesses in governance, institutions and infrastructure make it difficult to successfully address these challenges.